my vote is for the Lamy Safari series being heir to the title of cheapest well built reliable FP that comes in a variety of colors and nibs. the colors aren't as nice and the nib selection is far from what Esterbrook offered but they *are* bulletproof and at about $20-$25 they are in the same league price-wise.

what do you think?

Yup, I agree - it's the Lamy Safari. Cheap, reliable. They're not as pretty as the Esterbrooks, but I think they're the closest equivelent.

Another vote for the Lamy Safari.

But in Safaris don't come in a variety of sizes. They're also a bit idiosyncratic in appearance.

There is of course Levenger's True Writer series, but no replaceable nib unit.

Or there's the Pelikan lines a bit high in price, and a bit more decorative in appearance than Esterbrooks.

Or Conway Stewart? Again, much higher in price, but except for the clip, all but identical.

William

I was pondering this a while ago, and came to the conclusion that it was the Levenger True Writer series. Multiple colors, reliable steel nib, black cap and end jewels, and a similar pocket clip. The only thing missing is the replaceable points. Price wise, I think they'd be pretty close as well. That's my $0.02 anyway.

It's worth noting that when Levenger introduced their True Writer they were marketed as an homage to a writer's pen from the past.

William

Isn't the True Writer almost an Estie copy? Some of them at least?

I suspect Levenger licensed the rights to some Estie designs. Or just copied them. They have some desk sets that are almost copies of the #112, but with horrible colors like "Barbie Pink" and roller-ball pens instead of FPs.

You might say the Parker 45, if you call it modern. It does have interchangeable nibs, though I don't know how wide a range is available these days. Otherwise, it's in the Estie tradition of being an honest, well made pen that writes above its price point.

Best

Michael

Size, proportion and shape of the True Writer are much the same as the double-jewel Esterbrook J. Differences include:

filling system
nib
clip decoration
jewel styling (incl. no differentiation between BP, FP OR MP)
band details

And of course there're no SJ or LJ or purse pen models. But now there are the new Stylist Models.

William

I'll have to vote for the Lamy Safari also as I use one at work. I bought it about 4-5 years ago and have never had a problem. A few small scratches are starting to show so I might give it a break and get one of my Esterbrooks out.

There really isn't anything exactly like an Estie today, but I'll cast a vote for the Parker 45.

When they came out in 1960, you get them with a 14K nib for only $5, or not that much more than the steel-nibbed Esterbrook A101/CA101s that were selling for $2 at the time.

In 2006, Parker 45s don't come with gold nibs any more, but the last ones they were selling before they were discontinued were going for about $25 -- factoring in inflation, about the same price as the 1960 pen. Granted, the 1960s version of the 45 is a superior pen to the 2000s version, but I would agree that like the Estie J, the 45 was inexpensive, well-designed, durable and a good value all around.

I'd give an honorable mention to the Sheaffer No-Nonsense Pen, pre-rubberized grip version. Again, inexpensive and durable and probably the first FP you used if you were a budding young American pen geek in the 1970s and 1980s.

an addendum to this post -- I've used the True Writer and never really turned me on. I think it might be a little too precious and pricy to be considered an Esterbrook successor. Remember, the hallmark of Esterbrook is maximum value for a minimum price. If Levenger sold the True Writer for $20, instead of around $50, then maybe it would be considered an heir to the Estie.

The Lamy is indeed an excellent pen for its price range, but it is also a style setter, in my opinion, which the classic J was not.

I'd go for the Parker 45 also. Though there are nowhere near the nib choices, it is nice to be able to purchase one and screw it in oneself. They are simple and dignified as were most Esties. However, even with the metal cap thrown in, they don't have that delicious feel to the plastic as the Esterbrooks.

The pelikan m200. Pretty, reliable, cheap, small, exchangeable nibs...

I wouldn't really call an $80 pen cheap...

if they were $35 I'd have several by now though! very nice pens IMO, just not "budget" the way a "J" or a "dollar" Estie was.